The Bally’s Chicago Casino project is a USD 1.7 billion riverfront casino, hotel, and entertainment complex rising on the 30-acre former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West. The project reached a major structural milestone on 30 April 2026 when a topping-off ceremony marked the placement of the final structural beam, attended by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Bally’s Executive Chairman Soo Kim, and members of the Chicago Community Builders Collective. With the structural frame now complete, construction has advanced into the interior fit-out phase, with global design firm WATG newly engaged to shape the casino’s gaming floors, entertainment spaces, and social areas around a concept of experiential luxury.
Spring 2027 Opening Target Set as Temporary Licence Extension Bill Advances
The permanent casino’s opening has been rescheduled to spring 2027, sliding from the previously targeted September 2026 deadline that had aligned with the expiry of Bally’s temporary gaming licence at Medinah Temple. State Representative Kam Buckner introduced legislation to extend that temporary licence by up to 12 months, giving Bally’s operating continuity as finishing works proceed. The delay reflects a project history marked by compounding setbacks, from a December 2024 demolition halt ordered after a debris spill in the Chicago River, to the Illinois Gaming Board’s stop-work order of May 2025 over an unauthorised waste hauler. Chicago is navigating a wider wave of multi-billion-dollar development at the same time, with the nearby USD 7 billion 1901 Project breaking ground on the Near West Side in June 2026, underlining the city’s intensified appetite for large-scale private investment across its distinct neighbourhoods.
Project Overview
- Project Name: Bally’s Chicago Casino and Hotel
- Location: 560 W. Grand Avenue (former Tribune Freedom Center), River West, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Developer / Owner: Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY)
- Total Cost / Value: USD 1.7 billion
- Scale / Capacity: 500-room hotel tower (34 stories); 3,000-seat entertainment theater; 3,400 slots; 173 table games; 10 food and beverage venues; 2-acre public park; 3,300 parking spaces; 2,000-foot riverwalk extension
- Construction Start: 2024 (permanent site; temporary casino at Medinah Temple opened 2023)
- Expected Completion: Spring 2027
- Funding / Financing: USD 940 million construction funding facility from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI); balance from Bally’s Corporation equity
- Current Status: Structural frame complete; interior fit-out underway
- Key Milestone: Topping-off ceremony held 30 April 2026; more than 1,000 tradespeople have worked on the project to date
Project Team
- Bally’s Corporation — Developer and Casino Operator
- Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC) — General Contractor (minority-led joint venture)
- Gilbane Building Co. — Lead Partner within CCBC Joint Venture
- HKS Architects (Chicago) — Architect of Record
- WATG — Interior Design (casino, entertainment, and social spaces)
- Jamerson and Bauwens Electrical Contractors — Electrical Subcontractor
- Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) — Construction Finance Partner (USD 940 million facility)
- Illinois Gaming Board — Regulatory Authority
- City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development — Planning Authority
- Medinah Temple — Host Venue for Temporary Casino Operations
Reported 16th July 2024: The Illinois Gaming Board has allowed Bally’s Chicago to continue construction on its permanent casino after halting work for two weeks due to an unapproved waste hauler operating at the River West site.
On Wednesday, the board officially lifted the Stop Work Order it issued on May 1, 2025. The order had been put in place after it was discovered that vendors not authorized by the board were involved in the project. As of now, all vendors on the casino construction have received the necessary approval from the board.
Bally’s, the Rhode Island-based casino operator, announced that construction will resume on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The $1.7 billion project is being built at the former site of the Chicago Tribune printing plant and will proceed with a more rigorous vendor approval process in place.
“We were notified by the Illinois Gaming Board that construction will recommence on May 15,” said Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim in a statement. “We’re grateful for the board’s cooperation and look forward to bringing this exciting development to Chicago.”
D&P Construction—a Melrose Park-based company that supplied dumpsters—joined the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a minority-led general contracting group overseeing the casino’s construction, during the previous stoppage.
Community-Centric Construction
Focusing on diversity and community engagement during the construction process is a theme of this project. Notably; this initiative places emphasis on inclusivity by engaging the community. Led by the Chicago Community Builders Collective, which comprises minority led firms the construction aims not to boost the economy but also to instills a sense of pride and involvement within the community.
Strategic Design and Environmental Considerations
Careful consideration of luxury and environmental impact is at play along the banks of the Chicago River. The Bally’s design for Casino and Hotel Project in Chicago takes into account concerns and urban planning requirements. Originally slated for the north side relocating the hotel tower to the south helps mitigate harm to city water infrastructure along Chicago River while maintaining a balance, between opulence and environmental responsibility.
Crafted by HKS Chicago, the tower offers features such as a rooftop restaurant bar, pool spa and sun deck blending luxury with sustainability seamlessly.
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Economic Boost from Bally’s Casino and Hotel Project in Chicago
Expected job opportunities and economic advantages for the city. Upon its completion it is estimated that 3,000 construction roles will be created along with a 3,000 jobs in the casino and hospitality sectors. This surge in employment prospects holds promise to rejuvenate businesses and neighborhoods while solidifying this development as a part of Chicago’s economic renewal efforts.
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Notable Milestones
2022 – Chicago Casino License Awarded
Bally’s won the bid to develop Chicago’s first and only casino, beating out other major contenders.
2023 – Temporary Casino Opened
Bally’s launched a temporary casino at Medinah Temple to begin operations and generate early revenue while the permanent facility is under construction.
May 2025 – Resumption of Permanent Construction
Construction on the permanent site at the former Tribune printing plant resumes after a temporary halt due to vendor compliance issues.
Expected 2026–2027 – Grand Opening
The full-scale, permanent casino complex is projected to open, pending construction progress and regulatory approval.
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Cultural and Leisure Improvements
Enriching Chicago’s cultural scene with facilities and public areas.
Apart, from the casino hotel combo blueprints, the project feature a 3,000 seat theater, six dining spots and a 2 acre public park.
The developers will extend the riverwalk to link the property to the riverbank, improving accessibility and seamlessly blending the development into the city’s urban landscape.
Looking Forward: Chicago’s Vision for Tomorrow
Imagining the long term influence and future heritage of Bally’s in Chicago.
Bally’s $1.7 billion Chicago Casino and Hotel Project goes beyond a building – it represents a commitment to the community, sustainability and economic growth. By embracing inclusivity, innovation and eco-conscious practices, Bally’s strives to transform how the Midwest perceives entertainment and hospitality.
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